Tram-train

A Nordhausen ‘DUO’ Combino on the track linking the urban tramway, where it is electrically powered via overhead wires, and the HSB (Harzer Schmalspurbahn) rural railway, where it is powered by an onboard diesel engine

The Zwickau Model has main-line lightweight diesel tram-trains running through urban streets. Because the trams are metre gauge and the trains standard gauge the shared tracks are dual-gauge, with one shared rail and one exclusive rail for each.

A tram-train is a light-railpublic transport system where trams run through from an urban tramway network to main-line railway lines which are shared with conventional trains. This combines the tram's flexibility and accessibility with a train's greater speed, and bridges the distance between a main railway stations and a city centre.

There is also a train-tram, which is a train modified to also run on tramlines. Generally, the tram-train and train-tram are interchangeable, although a train-tram is based on a train design modified to also run as a tram and a tram-train is based on a tram design modified to also run on a train line.

A tram-train trial in the Manchester area was ruled out as the Department for Transport wanted to try low-floor tram-trains, whereas Manchester Metrolink cars have high floors.[12]

In March 2008 the UK Department for Transport released details of a plan to trial diesel tram-trains on the Penistone Line for two years starting in 2010.[10] There was no commitment to connect them to the Sheffield tram network, and in September 2009 the idea was withdrawn as it was deemed not economically viable for a trial due to the cost of the extra development required for the diesel engines to meet the forthcoming stringent EU emission regulations. Instead single-voltage electric tram-trains will be trialled between Rotherham and Sheffield.[11]

A two-year tram-train pilot project is to be undertaken between Sheffield and Rotherham for service from 2015. If the trial proves successful, similar schemes could be rolled out across the UK.[8][9]

United Kingdom

île de France (Paris region), France. The system is called Tram Express by the transport authority STIF : 3 lines are scheduled (Nord,Ouest,Sud). The light train rolling stock will only roll on national rail network in northern line (Tram Express Nord). In the Western line (Tram Express Ouest) a short section of 3.6 km (2.2 mi) is an urban tram section of the 19 km (11.8 mi) line. The southern line (Tram Express Sud) is a 20 km (12.4 mi) line, 10 km will be tram section and the 10 km another will roll on national rail network.

Europe

Existing systems

The difference between modern tram-trains and the older interurbans and radial railways is that tram-trains are built to meet mainline railway standards, rather than ignoring them. An exception is the USA's River Line in New Jersey which runs along freight tracks with time separation: passenger trains run by day, and freight by night.

The idea is not new: in the early 20th century, interurban streetcar lines often operated on the same tracks as steam trains, until crash standards prevented track sharing. In 1924, in Hobart, Tasmania, sharing of tracks between tram and train was proposed.[3]

History

Tram-train vehicles are dual-equipped to suit the needs of both tram and train operating modes, with support for multiple electrification voltages if required and safety equipment such as train stops and other railway signalling equipment. The Karlsruhe and Saarbrücken systems use ‘PZB’ or ‘Indusi’ automatic train protection, so that if the driver passes a signal at stop the emergency brakes are applied.

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